Old Golfer,
I didn't see this line of thinking posted so here goes.
Larger tires and more weight do not always equal greater traction. For example, on ice a thinner tire will give you better traction because you will have more pounds per square inch of contact with the ground.
A wider heavier tire will have more contact area and thus spread the weight out over a greater area, which could equal less traction. A thinner lighter tire will have a smaller contact patch thus more pounds per square inch of contact. This concept is more noticeable if you have turf tires.
In deep snow or mud and in sand you want to spread the weight out as much as possible. In mud, where you know the bottom is not far down you want to have a thin tire that will dig down to the hardpack for traction.
Four wheel drive is about more. More money, more things (mechanical parts) to break, more traction, more ability to use engine braking.
RE: What you said about only "golfing so much," Tsk Tsk. Your acreage can become your own little practice hole. Our five acres is a rectangle. About a par 3 w/ a house and garden hazard /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif in the middle -- that's the plan anyways, the wife has almost agreed.
I'm digressing, but a friend of mine got together w/ his neighbor across and down the street (in a rural neighborhood) and both built greens on their property and would practice hitting the 80 yards or so to the others green.
Clint
